Tag Archives: Hello Kitty Build-A-Bear

Hello Kittyis something of a phenomenon. The little Japanese cartoon cat (who stands five apples tall and weighs three apples, according to her official biography), was created in 1974 by designer Yuko Shimizu.

She was originally marketed at kids by Sanrio, but has proved as popular with adults, and has grown into a global marketing phenomenon worth around £3.2 billion today!

Her popularity in the UK has soared in the last decade, and she can be seen everywhere, company after company purchasing a license to make things featuring this cute little white cat. Build-A-Bear Workshop doesn’t just do bears – it does dogs, monkeys, pandas, and, of course, Hello Kitty. And for Valentine’s Day – yep, you guessed it, a Hello Kitty LOVE toy is available to create for your loved one (or yourself)!

This cute plush will set you back £18, and the clothes are extra – you can dress her up in whatever you want (and whatever you can afford!).

And if your love for Hello Kitty is bigger than just a toy, then you are not alone – millions visit the two Japanese theme parks every year, where Hello Kitty is queen – Sanrio Puroland, and Harmonyland. And did you know that in Taiwan there is even a Hello Kitty Maternity Hospital, a Hello Kitty restaurant and a Hello Kitty hotel! Get me flight times!

If, however, Hello Kitty has you seeing red, then check out this hilarious blog, Hello Kitty Hell – one man’s story of life with an HK obsessive, and a guide to the madness of the Hello Kitty uber-fan’s world!